Two

During luncheon it was announced that a letter had arrived from Wyndham Hall inviting Sir Cavendish and his family to dinner the very next evening, if they were not too fatigued from their journey. Admittedly, Catherine did not feel at her most energetic, but insisted that she was perfectly well enough to attend. A reply was promptly sent, and Catherine found that her eagerness to become acquainted with the various members of Barnbury society more than overcame any tiredness she might be feeling. Lady Russell's letter mentioned that the invitation had also been extended to Mr and Mrs Wilmot and Professor Lawes, so the evening was set to be an interesting one.

Julia and Catherine spent the next day wandering around the grounds of Broxcliffe Park, before returning to the house eager to get ready for the dinner that evening. Catherine found that her cousin was almost looking forward to the occasion as much as she was; as Julia was only recently out in society, the invitations to dine at Wyndham Hall had often only included Julia's parents and William, and she, like Catherine, very much wanted to become acquainted with Miss Eleanor Russell. The cousins giggled excitedly as they made their way upstairs to their respective bedchambers, where their ladies' maids would help them dress.

Catherine's maid during her stay was a young girl named Nancy, who was already in the guest bedchamber choosing a dress for Catherine to wear.

"Good evening, Miss Taylor," she greeted her, turning away from the armoire so that she could curtsey politely. "I have selected a couple of gowns which I thought might be appropriate for the dinner. What does milady think?"

Catherine wandered over to the bed, where a couple of her gowns had been neatly laid. The white satin gown with capped sleeves instantly caught her attention; it was one of her favourites.

"I think I shall wear this one," she told Nancy, taking hold of it.

"Very well, milady," her maid replied, beginning to help her dress. "Would you like me to style your hair as well?"

"Oh, yes please. You may do what you wish with it – I shall leave it in your capable hands!"

"Very well, milady," said Nancy nervously.

Nancy needn't have worried; once the skilled maid's work was completed, Catherine gazed at her reflection in the looking glass and gasped with delight. Nancy had deftly styled her chestnut locks into a complicated twist, leaving a few curls around her forehead and nape of her neck. For the finishing touch Catherine selected a coral necklace from her jewellery box which Nancy fastened for her, before standing back and surveying her mistress approvingly.

"You look beautiful, milady – simply beautiful."

"Thank you, Nancy! You are very skilled indeed!"

Catherine greeted Julia in the hallway, also looking glowingly beautiful in a pale green gown with slightly frilled sleeves. They both gushingly admired each other's appearances for a few moments, before descending to the hall to await the carriage with the rest of the family, who were already assembled. As the carriage drew up outside and the ladies were helped in, Catherine could hardly contain her excitement. She was on her way to dine with a Viscount and his family! What tales she would have to tell her family when she returned home! Catherine decided that she would make sure to enjoy every second as much as possible, and remember all the details so that she could recount them to Bessie.

Having thought Broxcliffe Park rather grand, Catherine felt completely overwhelmed by the palace that was Wyndham Hall. The majestic, Tudor-style building was unlike anything she had ever seen before, and she found herself smoothing her skirts nervously. They were helped out of the carriage by footmen in finer uniforms than even those at Broxcliffe Park, and as Catherine ascended the steps towards the front door alongside her cousins she felt an apprehensive excitement simmering away in her stomach. She was at once eager and reluctant to meet the Viscount and his family, and felt quite aflutter with all the confusion in her mind, barely noticing the grandeur of the entrance hall as they were led along to the drawing room.

"Sir William and Lady Cavendish and family, milord."

Catherine was suddenly aware that they were being announced and showed in to the lavish drawing room by the butler. Inside was a luxurious assortment of velvet-covered chairs and settees, the pair nearest the fire occupied by a group of three ladies. The large, greying woman with an imposing air must be the Viscountess, Catherine realised, and the golden-haired beauty in a fine pale pink gown with a ruffled lace neckline beside her had to be Miss Eleanor Russell. The kind-faced woman of about thirty years opposite therefore had to be Mrs Wilmot.

For a moment or two Catherine found herself utterly transfixed surveying the pearls and flowers woven into Miss Russell's intricate hairdo, before she checked herself and turned her attention to the other half of the room, where the gentlemen were gathered in conversation. Here it was more difficult to distinguish between them, as the three were all of about the same age and dressed fairly similarly. It was only on closer inspection that she noted one gentleman's finery looked more expensive than his companions', and on observing how merrily he conversed with the pair, decided he must be the charming young Lord Russell. Of the latter two, Catherine simply could not say whether the professor was the tall gentleman with tightly-curled dark hair and soft brown eyes, or the slightly shorter man at his side with bright, blue eyes and slightly reddish hair who was placidly surveying his surroundings. A peculiar sensation inside her told her that she hoped for the former, and she was just attempting to banish the ridiculous thought from her mind when all conversation suddenly ceased as their arrival was acknowledged.

"Sir William! And Lady Cavendish! How lovely to see you both, and looking so well!"

Lady Russell had risen and crossed the room at once, with admirable agility and grace for her age, and was now greeting Catherine's aunt and uncle with much enthusiasm.

"And here we have Mr William and Miss Julia Cavendish," smiled Lady Russell, passing by each of them in turn and finally coming to Catherine, "which means that you, my dear, must be Sir William's niece. It is lovely to have you here with us, Miss Taylor."

"It is an honour to become acquainted with your family, Lady Russell," replied Catherine politely, curtseying to the older woman.

"I daresay it is my own two children who are solely responsible for keeping my spirits lifted in this trying time," Lady Russell said sorrowfully. "Dear Eleanor, who sits near the fire, is particularly devoted. She is a very accomplished musician, Miss Taylor, and often plays her harp and sings to me when my spirits are low. Such a beautiful voice she has – I have never heard its equal – and I cannot remain melancholy for long once she begins to sing and play."

Miss Russell had heard her name mentioned, and now crossed the room to join her mother, smiling bashfully.

"Oh mama, I fear you do exaggerate my talents," she said timidly. "I would not want our guests to be given a false idea of my musical ability."

"Nonsense, dear!" Lady Russell silenced her daughter. "She is far too modest," she added to Catherine.

"I am a great lover of music also," Catherine addressed the blushing Miss Russell, "I shall very much look forward to hearing you play and sing."

"You must also meet my son, Lord Russell," Lady Russell interrupted before Miss Russell had chance to reply, leading Catherine over to the group of gentlemen. "Here he stands with your uncle's good friend Mr Wilmot, and his guest, Professor Henry Lawes."

Each of the gentlemen bowed as they were announced which Catherine returned with a curtsey, and she felt another little flutter in her stomach as it was confirmed that Professor Lawes was indeed the dark-haired gentleman. She allowed her gaze to linger on him for a little longer than the others, blushing slightly as she realised that he also seemed reluctant to look away, and she was hoping that he would engage her in conversation when Lord Russell did so first.

"How are you finding Somerset thus far, Miss Taylor?" he enquired eagerly, accompanied by a dazzling smile.

"Very well, I thank you," she replied, with a slight twinge of disappointment as she watched Professor Lawes and Mr Wilmot leave them to join the party at the fireside. "The countryside is so beautiful – I feel sure I shall be spending a great deal of time out of doors."

"Indeed?" Lord Russell smiled approvingly. "I feel a strong sense of pride in the beauty of my home village, and the county of Somerset as a whole, so it pleases me greatly to hear you speak of it with such high regard. There truly is no greater pleasure than being out of doors surrounded by nature, do you not think?"

"I cannot think of many things which give me greater pleasure, sir," Catherine replied, making sure to remain polite although she was beginning to feel rather suspicious. On the surface his charm seemed perfectly natural, but there was something in the way the Viscount was looking at her that she did not like at all; a sort of predatory gleam in his eyes that put her instantly on edge.

"It is such a shame, Miss Taylor, that more women do not share your views. My own dear sister, for example, does not venture out of doors as much as she should. I most earnestly encourage it, for the exercise, as you will know, is very beneficial, but I fear my mother does not at all agree. She worries about Eleanor's health should she be out in unpleasant weather, and prefers to have her indoors at her side, practising her music."

"Then I commend your sister for her passion and devotion to music," Catherine replied, growing tired of the conversation now. Her sense of discomfort was growing, and she wanted nothing more than to leave the young Viscount's company. "I often wish I had more enthusiasm to practise the pianoforte."

Much to Catherine's relief, it was announced that dinner was to be served before Lord Russell had chance to reply, and as the party made its way to the dining room he engaged himself with Mrs Wilmot, to Mr Wilmot's evident displeasure. Catherine found herself walking alongside Julia, who seemed to be envious of her attentions from Lord Russell.

"What did you speak of with Lord Russell, Catherine?" she enquired eagerly, after making sure that the rest of the party was out of earshot. "I noticed he singled you out at once. How lucky you are, to receive such attention from a man of his consequence!"

Catherine made some non-committal reply, deciding she was unable at present to share her suspicions about Lord Russell's character. Instead she led Julia on towards the dining room, which she found to be a large, stately room with an intricately-painted ceiling adorned with cherubs and flowers, and a gleaming mahogany table which could seat twenty comfortably. Here the rest of the party was being seated, and Catherine found that she was to be seated next to none other than Professor Lawes. Now I shall have some enlightening conversation at last, Catherine thought to herself as she took her seat.

It was much to her dissatisfaction, however, that Professor Lawes made no effort to engage her in conversation for some time. Catherine glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, wondering at his lack of manners, and found him staring quite determinedly down at the empty plate in front of him, seeming very ill at ease. This failure to display any kind of common civility made Catherine begin to question the image of academics she held in her mind. She had always imagined a professor to be a man with a highly dignified, impressive air about him – but this awkward, discourteous person beside her seemed to contradict that entirely.

By the time dinner had concluded and the party made their way to the drawing room for cards and music, the professor had barely uttered two words to Catherine, other than to enquire in a very disinterested voice how long she planned to stay in Somerset. She felt herself becoming increasingly angry at his improper behaviour, and when Lady Russell asked if one of the ladies would care to play the pianoforte for them, Catherine took herself quite by surprise by volunteering. She was never usually one for being so forward, but she felt an inexplicable need to prove herself.

As Catherine seated herself at the pianoforte, she found herself gazing wistfully down at the magnificent instrument which couldn't compare to her own pianoforte at home. There was a stack of music on the stand, and after a moment's consideration she selected a Beethoven sonata and began to play.

There were few things in life which gave Catherine greater pleasure than music, and within moments she was completely lost in the piece, oblivious of her audience. She could have easily continued with another piece, but of course it was proper to allow another lady to have her turn, and so she rose from the stool to much warm praise from the party.

"How well you play, my dear!" Mr Wilmot told her eagerly. "You seem to take great pleasure in playing, and it gave me great pleasure to listen."

"You are very kind, sir," Catherine replied. "Yes, indeed, music is my favourite form of amusement."

"I suppose you do play well," came Lady Russell's voice from over by the fire, "but not half as well as my Eleanor, of course. Eleanor, dear – will you play something for us now? Shall I have your harp fetched?"

Miss Russell assured her mother that it was not necessary; she was perfectly willing to play a piece on the pianoforte. While she took her place at the instrument, Catherine made her way to the edge of the room, cheeks burning with humiliation at Lady Russell's slight. Her dislike for the pompous woman and her daughter was growing by the second – the daughter had made no effort to chastise her mother for her comment, after all – and she heartily wished the evening was over. After that embarrassing display, she decided to remain firmly seated in the corner and attract as little attention to herself as possible. It served her right; putting herself forward like that when she had no business to!

As Miss Russell began to play – remarkably well, Catherine had to admit – she suddenly felt a pair of eyes gazing at her from the other side of the room. Expecting to meet the sympathetic gaze of Julia, she raised her head, but to her horror, it was the brown eyes of Professor Lawes who met her own. He was surveying her with an unfathomable expression, which vexed Catherine even more. Oh, he would look at her now, she thought to herself – when she had been clearly slighted by Lady Russell for everyone to hear! He probably agreed with the lady's sentiments; after all, he had not spoken a good word about her playing, nor made any attempt to disagree with Lady Russell's remark.

If Catherine had thought the professor could do nothing possible to vex her more that evening, she was much mistaken. The moment Miss Russell reached the end of her piece, Professor Lawes stood up and warmly congratulated her on her beautiful playing, which she responded to in her usual bashful nature. Choosing to bestow his praise upon one lady whilst neglecting the other's performance entirely was no more a compliment to the former than an insult to the latter, and it was one more slight than Catherine could bear for one evening. Such thoughtless, indecent behaviour she had never witnessed in a gentleman, and she began to wonder at his being included in society.

Unable to remain in Professor Lawes' company a moment longer, Catherine endeavoured to find Julia and join her for a while. On scanning the room, however, she came upon a most unwelcome sight; just the sight to complete her misery. There in the corner of the drawing room, deep in conversation, was Julia and none other than Lord Russell himself. Catherine could very well guess the nature of their conversation, judging by the way Julia seemed to be hanging on to Lord Russell's every word, and she heaved a sigh as she realised that she would have to make her cousin aware of his true intentions soon, which Julia would no doubt take badly.

Soon enough Sir William and his family were ready to retire to Broxcliffe Park, and Catherine was not sorry to leave Wyndham Hall. After so much looking forward to meeting the society of Barnbury, she had in fact been sorely disappointed. Apart from Mr and Mrs Wilmot, she could not find a kind word to say about anybody, and in particular Professor Lawes' ungentlemanly behaviour had severely wounded her pride. She'd had an altogether unpleasant evening, and Catherine felt she would not be sorry if they weren't invited back to Wyndham Hall for some time.